UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- With the new semester underway and the final stretch of the season in sight, there is feeling of fresh motivation amongst the Penn State women's ice hockey players.
Winter break, where the team will have played just three games in a period from December 2nd to January 21st, is still a busy one for the program. The Nittany Lions were getting ready for the second half of the season while still having to prepare for top opponents. The first being when they traveled to Boston the last two day of December, tying their first game 1-1, and won the second game 1-0 against the Boston Terriers.
Following the split was the team's biggest matchup in the first half of the year, a showdown vs. then No. 4 ranked Cornell.
Last Tuesday, the Nittany Lions tied that Cornell program, 3-3 in overtime, an outcome has made the team even more determined to get to a new level of Penn State women's ice hockey.
"We know how close we are to being a dominant team in the league, so it's made us even hungrier going into conference play," senior defenseman and captain Kelsey Crow said.
Head coach Jeff Kampersal felt that his team played hard against Cornell.
"Our kids kept fighting, we gave one up there at the end but it wasn't for a lack of effort, a lack of heart and everything. I am just really proud of this group right now and they're in a good spot," Kampersal said.
That extra preparation and just three games the Nittany Lions had over long break has helped the program get ready for the stretch run.
"I think in the first half we struggled with finding a rhythm and staying with it, and I think the break helped with a lot of people collectively coming together to say, 'This is my role on the team, and I'm going to preform my role. And no matter if it's a battle or a race to a loose puck, I'm going to do everything I can to help us win.' I just want to see that attitude that's been in our last three games, and I want to see us keeping that high competition as we move into conference play," Crow said.
Junior forward Katie McMillan had similar thoughts about opening the second half of the season on a strong note.
"Coming back after the break, we have really emphasized embracing your role, whatever that may be on the team, and we've kind of seen the team come together in a sense. It's been really fun," McMillan said.
As the season continues for Penn State (8-9-4) with a matchup against Lindenwood (5-13-2) this coming Sunday and Monday at home, Kampersal and his players have goals they would like to see this team achieve.
"Offensively we need to shoot the puck more and be a little bit more creative five on five," Kampersal said. He also added playing well at home is another aspect Kampersal would like to improve on. The Nittany Lions are 3-4-2 at home so far this year.
While the Nittany Lions know there are things they need to work on, the team has found several aspects that they have become really strong in, which were especially noticeable in the most recent games they played.
"The past couple of games have certainly showed everyone buying into the game plan, buying into their role, and performing at the best of their abilities," McMillan said.
McMillan also noted that the team does really well when they score the first goal, and that is something they have been focusing on.
The remaining 12 out of 13 games are all CHA games, which is exciting for the Nittany Lions.
"We have great athletes, and we have a good brand of hockey, we still need to get better, but they're working at it," Kampersal said.
Penn State hosts Lindenwood this Sunday and Monday. Monday's game will be the Skate for the Cure game, which supports the fight against breast cancer. Following the game, there will be a post-game skate.
